With the new Azera, Hyundai has completed its 24/7 2.0 program. That means they delivered on their promise to bring out seven new or revised vehicles in just 24 months. That's a pretty darned amazing accomplishment. The Azera takes off from the popular midsize Sonata and offers a little more room, power and style (and price, of course).

The car comes only as a sedan and with just one engine - a 3.3-liter V6, with 293 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. That may be because the model not only fits in size between the midsize Sonata and the luxury Genesis sedan, it reserves the four-cylinder engine for the Sonata and two V8s for the Genesis.

The V6 is mated to Hyundai's six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC(r) manual control. This transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide ratio spread that ideally suits the engine's characteristics.

Azera's powertrain also has an Active Eco mode, which modifies engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy. You don't have to do anything except push the Eco button, but it can add up to as much as a five percent fuel economy improvement.

At 3,605 pounds, the Azera is more than 200 pounds lighter than the Buick LaCrosse (3,835 pounds) and more than 400 pounds lighter than the Ford Taurus (4,015 pounds). That means that the 3.3-liter V6, slightly smaller than competitors' 3.5 and 3.6-liter engines, delivers the goods, with the highest horsepower per liter of any competitor. And being a little lighter, it doesn't feel like a tank going down the road.

Despite its large-midsize proportions, the Azera gets decent mileage. The EPA says 20 City, 28 Highway, with an average of 23. I got 21.9 mph - still reasonable. Environmentally, the car rates 6 for Air Pollution and 5 for Greenhouse Gas - right in the middle.

The Azera's body is attractive and energetic looking. The customer for this type of car isn't really looking to make a powerfully unique statement, but he or she does want to look up-to-date, and the car has all the right touches. The grille is chrome and prominent. The folds along the body sides are just like you'd find on an Infiniti or even a BMW. The headlamps and tail lamps are chock full of jewelry. Hard to believe that not long ago the illuminated parts of cars were plain plastic bars.

Inside, it's a swirl of silvery trim - typical for today, but quite nicely laid out. The only place it wasn't completely satisfying was at the windshield pillars, where the intersection of vents and seams seemed a little busy. At night, the gauges glow and a slim illuminated line snakes across the dash and doors.

The firm but comfortably padded seats are nice to look at too. Both driver and passenger get numerous get adjustment options - and the controls are right where Mercedes puts them - on the door. You can select from three levels of heating - and of cooling.

Speaking of seats, Hyundai engineers have developed an impact-reducing seat system for the Azera. It eliminates the need for active front head restraints and is expected to reduce head and neck injuries by 17 percent over the front seats in the previous generation car.

All Azeras come with touch-screen navigation with backup camera standard. No other car in the segment offers this as standard equipment. There's also the standard Hyundai Blue Link telematics. You can access the Web using buttons on the rearview mirror inside the car, through your smart phone.

Prices begin at $32,000 more or less. That's in the right range for cars like this.

My tester came with the Technology Package, for an additional $4,000. For that sizable investment you get 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, HID Xenon headlights, power rear sunshade, manual side window sunshades and the potent Infinity 12-speaker Logic7 audio system with subwoofer and external amplifier. There are several other comfort and convenience features included, too.

I was impressed by the feel of the Azera on the road. That could be thanks in part to the suspension, with its Sachs Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) front and rear. It allows for tuning flexibility at smaller damper displacements. It was smooth, quiet, and had an upscale feeling that Hyundai has figured out how to provide. The Genesis, you expect to be that way, but the Azera has it too, at a fairly affordable price. Good work, Hyundai!